129 Nigerians Returns From Sudan Today, Total Evacuees 1471
By Urube Peter, Abuja
The efforts of the Federal Government has successfully evacuated 1471 Nigerians from war torn Sudan.
According to reports today, 129 evacuees arrived the country, two were reportedly sick, medical arrangement is already on ground to treat them before reuniting them with their families.
In an interview with the journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Deputy Director Information, Mrs Rhoda Ilya, on behalf of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Umar Farouk, explained that every arrangement has been in place for the safe arrival and onward movement of stranded Nigerians from Sudan.
“As you can see, this is the fifth batch of 129 Nigerians evacuees arriving today Monday 8th May at exactly 9:40am.
” It is note worthy that the lingering conflict in Sudan has caused significant humanitarian challenges globally by the way of displacement, food shortages, and violence. Evacuating Nigerians who are stranded in the country is a critical step in ensuring their safety and well-being.
Mrs Ilya disclosed that it’s expected of everyone returning from Sudan to be a good ambassador of Nigeria anywhere they find themselves.
The Humanitarian Affairs Ministry Spokesperson assured of support to all the returnees, saying that more Nigerians (1200) are being profiled in Port Sudan and the Egyptian border for onward evacuation to Nigeria.
“National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Ministry of Health, and the Dangote Foundation have a robust plan and are ensuring the psycho-social support related to the stress you have faced so that it will not persist.
This she said will be a service that will extend into the weeks ahead, reference the committee which is saddled with this responsibility.
The Ministry reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to evacuating everyone, students, and non-students, in the next few days.
Also speaking, the Director of Consular Services, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Enya Francis who stood in for the Minister, Mr Godfrey Onyema, thanked Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the support which ensured safe return of 1471 already, while assuring that the remaining 1200 Nigerians in Sudan return safely.
Addressing the returnees, Mr Enya advice thus; In case you have friends/ colleagues whom you left behind try and reach them to quickly get in touch with Nigerian Ambassador in Sudan for proper arrangement to return to Nigeria.
Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), represented by the Director Media & Public Relations, Mr Abduraman Balogun, explained how the Commission is collaborating with government/private institutions to provide succour for all the returnees.
The institutions are Dangote, the MTN and Federal Refugee Commission. They assist the returnees with cash, airtime/data and accommodations, while assuring the rest batches coming into the country that no Nigerian ready to return will be left behind.
The Chairperson encouraged the evacuees yet to be airlifted to be patient, as she stressed that all necessary procedures were being put in place to ensure their safe return.
One of the returnees from Khartoum, Sudan, expressed delight for their safe returned.
He said, the situation in Sudan is an ugly experience, saying that war is not an option at all. He prayed it will never happen in Nigeria.
He commended the Sudanese hospitality and hope to return if peace is restored to the country completely to continue his education.
Meanwhile, all the returnees will receive N100,000 each, a cash donation courtesy of Dangote Foundation, while MTN Nigeria donated sim cards with airtime worth (N25, 000), data of (1.5GB). plus school bags, food.
